Hi XXXXXXXX,
Thank you for your question, I'd just like a little more information if possible:
How many rabbits do you have, and are all of them affected by this?
Is their behaviour any different to normal, for example are they any quieter, less active or sleeping more than usual?
Have you noticed any changes in their droppings?
Have there been any stressful or unusual situations for them recently, or any changes in their management?
Thank you,
Vet Ruth
Thank you for the information, and sorry for the delay in getting back to you.
You mentioned that their noses are wet - is there any discharge from the nose, and if so how much and what colour is it? Wet noses or discharge from the nose may indicate that they have a respiratory infection, in which case I advise that you take them to your vet as soon as possible, as they are likely to need some medication.
Rabbits will often not drink very much water from the bottle when they are eating lots of vegetables or fruit, as this food has a high water content. However if your rabbits are also refusing to eat vegetables at the moment, this could suggest there is something else going on. I recommend that you try to feed the rabbits some tasty and highly palatable foods such as dandelion, grass, parsley and coriander (as most rabbits will find these foods hard to resist).
I would also recommend trying a probiotic product suitable for use in rabbits - these often come in powder form that you can either sprinkle onto vegetables before hand-feeding them to the rabbit, or you can mix it into their water. Rabbits usually really like the taste of these products, and will often drink more water than usual when it contains the probiotic. Most larger pet stores will sell probiotic products suitable for rabbits, and they will also be available from your vet. Multivitamins suitable for rabbits (particularly vitamin B complex) may also be beneficial.
If your rabbits are losing weight as a result of their reduced appetite, it would be a good idea to regularly syringe-feed them using liquid food such as Supreme Recovery Diet or Oxbow Critical Care Diet - these can be bought online and will also be available from your vet.
If your rabbits stop eating completely, and also refuse to take the liquid food, it is very important that you take them to your vet as soon as possible. Rabbits cannot survive a long time without eating - if a rabbit does not eat anything for over 48 hours this can be life-threatening.
If your rabbit's appetite does not start to improve after following these suggestions, or if they get worse at any time, then I strongly recommend that you take them to your vet for an examination.
Hope this helps and best wishes,
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Veterinarian
BVSc Veterinary Science, MSc Veterinary Infection and Disease Control, MRCVS